GoM to fast track probe against corrupt officials

Fast tracking of corruption
cases against public servants to provide for summary proceedings in cases of grave misdemeanor would form part of the terms of reference of the GoM formed to tackle the menace.

New Delhi: Fast tracking of corruption
cases against public servants and amendment to the Constitution to provide for summary proceedings in cases of grave misdemeanor involving bureaucrats would form part of
the terms of reference of the Group of Ministers formed to
tackle the menace.

The GoM, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee,
has been asked to report back to the Union Cabinet within 60
days with its recommendations after the January 6
notification.

The eight-member committee was set up last week to
suggest measures, including legislative and administrative, to
tackle corruption.

The GoM will consider "all measures, legislative and
administrative, to tackle corruption and improve
transparency", the notification said.

The terms of reference also include state funding of
elections, ensuring full transparency in public procurement
and contracts and enunciation of a new public procurement
policy, relinquishing of discretionary powers enjoyed by the
union ministers and introduction of open and competitive
system of exploiting natural resources.

The group has been set up in the backdrop of the
five-point plan of action outlined by Congress President Sonia
Gandhi last month to tackle corruption "head-on".

Gandhi`s prescription included fast-tracking all cases
against public servants including politicians, taking forward
the proposal of state-funding of elections, legislative and
clear procedures to ensure transparency in public procurement
and shedding of discretionary powers by chief ministers and
all ministers, including at the Centre.

She had also suggested an open competitive system of
exploiting natural resources was also needed.
The government has been facing an onslaught from the
Opposition over a series of scams, including those involving
2G spectrum allocation, CWG and Adarsh Housing Society of
Mumbai.

The Opposition has been relentlessly pressing for
formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe these
scams but the government has resisted it.